Advocacy Project

ISTHMUS MONTESSORI ACADEMY

Mission: To increase public awareness of Isthmus Montessori Academy, improve community engagement and strengthen partnerships

The long-term goal of the IMA Advocacy Project is to integrate the Isthmus Montessori Academy into the traditional

education system, which includes:Increasing public awareness and support for IMA

Strengthening partnerships within and across sectors

Improving engagement with the community

Attaining charter (or voucher) school status

IMA ADVOCACY PROJECT

• Implementers: Mobilizing resources to provide services

• Direct aid provision: Partnership and support through governments

• Innovation: Coordinating methods for social change by integrating IMA into the consciousness of society

• Monitoring: Ensuring resources are used efficiently and producing effective results

• Legitimacy: Create social change for viable development

• Trust: Accountability measurements

IMA ADVOCACY PROJECT

• Balancing priorities through partnerships

• Impact: Percentage change in indicators of strategic progress

• Scale: Begin within IMA and expand to the Madison Metropolitan School District

• Offset the achievement gap and lack of diversity by creating a collaborative community that extends access to people of all backgrounds

• The ultimate aim is to increase resources and create partnerships for fiscal growth, as well as to increase civic engagement.

IMA ADVOCACY PROJECT

Problem Statement Isthmus Montessori Academy is a nonprofit school that is

not a part of the traditional education system, so it does not experience the benefits of public resources and the greater

community does not experience the benefits of IMA. Goal

To achieve economic viability through increasing community engagement and strengthening partnerships.

Logistical ReasonNear downtown area

Accessible location for people of diverse backgrounds

Near parks and bus line

High potential for developing relationships with local communities and businesses

Located within social, economic and political environments containing like-minded people who share IMA values.

IMA ADVOCACY PROJECT

Rationales IMA is a positive contributor to society.

Increasing community engagement and strengthening cross-sector partnerships

increase options for viability. Assumptions

The Association Montessori Internationale method is effective enough

to close the achievement gap. Integrating the AMI method

into the traditional education system will create social change.

IMA ADVOCACY PROJECT

Staff Consultants Volunteers Technology Equipment Materials

Operating Budget Monetary Resources

Space Adobe Creative Suites

Interns

Have Need

IMA ADVOCACY PROJECT

Resources

IMA ADVOCACY PROJECT

IMA ADVOCACY PROJECT

IMAAP & NGOsPartner with NGOs focusing on education reform that are

operational and potentially leverage funding through those relationships.Source grantsSolicit funding

Community outreach Parent education

AdvocacyKnowledge-sharingInternship program

Resource mobilization

IMA ADVOCACY PROJECT

IMAAP & CommunitiesCommunity engagement

Identifying and meeting needsService learning projectsCoordination of events

PromotionAwareness

Shared learning network

IMA ADVOCACY PROJECT

IMA Advocacy Project & BusinessesSolicit funding

ExpansionDevelopmentIntegrationPublicityDiscountsDonations

Dual promotion

IMA ADVOCACY PROJECT

IMAAP & GovernmentsFunding

RegulationsIntegrationCompostingRecycling

Charter (or voucher) statusNon-profit status(ACHIEVED!)

Extending access to low-income families

IMA ADVOCACY PROJECT

ResearchTrack how parents become aware of IMA, as well as the demand for

enrollmentQualitative research on the impacts Association Montessori Internationale education has on communities in terms of civic engagement, public health

and the local economyi.e. Health benefits of organic produce vs. processed foods, fiscal benefits of buying local,

mental and physical health, community development, social responsibility, intelligence, etc.

Qualitative research on the impacts of positive communication methodsi.e. Mental and physical health, community development and productivity,

social responsibility, intelligence, etc.Quantitative research which measures outcomes of AMI education vs.

traditional educationi.e. Fiscal costs and benefits, civic participation, social responsibility,

intelligence, physical and mental health, etc.

IMA ADVOCACY PROJECT

ISTHMUS MONTESSORI ACADEMY ADVOCACY PROJECT

Sara Ann Chopp